Austria hopes for final deal over Iran N-energy program

Austrian President Heinz Fischer has expressed hope that Iran and the P5+1 would reach a comprehensive nuclear deal.

Fischer made the remark in a Thursday meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Vienna on the sidelines of a fresh round of nuclear negotiations between the Islamic Republic and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – the US, China, Russia, France and the UK – plus Germany.

Fischer also welcomed Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei’s support for the nuclear talks between Iran and the six other countries.

Zarif, for his part, said that a comprehensive nuclear deal with the P5+1 is achievable, adding that “realism and willpower” on the part of both sides are the key factors in reaching a comprehensive agreement.

Representatives from Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany are to hold the third day of a fresh round of nuclear talks in Vienna on Friday.

The two sides have been discussing how to iron out differences in order to start drafting a final deal that would end the West’s standoff over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear energy program.

Last November, Iran and the six countries signed an interim nuclear deal in the Swiss city of Geneva. The agreement came into force in January. Under the interim agreement, the six countries agreed to provide Iran with some sanctions relief in exchange for the Islamic Republic agreeing to limit certain aspects of its nuclear energy program during a six-month period.